Liverpool head coach Arne Slot insists there will be no change to Liverpool's approach after Mohamed Salah’s criticism of the style his team played this season.
In a social media post after the defeat at Aston Villa the Egypt international said he wanted to see a return to “heavy metal football” in a less than subtle reference to former manager Jurgen Klopp.
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But after a disappointing season for everyone at the club Slot did not think those comments undermined him.
“What I know, and that is my world, is to see how they train and I have not seen anything different compared to the rest of the season,” he said.
“Out of experience I know that is usually not the most simple week but the boys trained really well and I’m expecting them to do the same in the upcoming two days.
“I don’t think it is that important what I feel about it. What is important is that we qualify for the Champions League on Sunday and I prepare Mo and the whole team in the best possible way for the game.”
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He's made his decision.
In a pointed response to Salah, Slot said the forward had been happy enough when they won the Premier League last season but that the evolution in the game meant it was never going to be easy to replicate.
“You are doing a lot of assumptions; first of all you say that he wants to play that style and then say it is not my style,” added the Dutchman.
“I think Mo was really happy with the style we played last year as it lead to us winning the league."
Liverpool are expected to back the manager for a second straight summer with replacements needed for Salah and possibly Ibrahima Konate, who is yet to sign a new contract.
And they have already identified RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande as their top target to join in the former's place, but he is not the only winger on their agenda.
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Indeed, Fabrizio Romano revealed in a Youtube video this weekend that PSG star Bradley Barcola is a target for both Liverpool and Arsenal, and it will simply come down to the player's preference this summer.
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Diomande meanwhile is ironically also wanted by PSG, perhaps as a replacement for the France international.
"Barcola is an option for Liverpool for sure, he's a player super appreciated by Liverpool," says Romano. "And so, Diomande, PSG or Liverpool. Barcola, Arsenal, Liverpool or a new contract at PSG."
He added: "Barcola and Diomande are two names to follow, and in both cases the player will (decide), the player decision is going to be crucial."
Barcola, who's been called 'one of the best wingers in the world' by Como scout Ben Mattinson, has scored 11 times in Ligue 1 this season and twice in the Champions League.
Liverpool meanwhile have already secured a deal for young Colombian attacking midfielder Samuel Martinez.
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